Watchman’s Daily Devotional: Love for Christ Is the Primary Characteristic of a True Believer

In First Peter 2:7, there is a mention of the believer’s deep affection for Christ, which is set in contrast to the unbeliever’s rejection of Him. The initial segment of that verse can be rendered as, “For those who have faith, He is highly valued.” “Precious” can be defined as something that holds great value, is highly esteemed, or is considered irreplaceable. Christ is truly remarkable, but it is only those who have faith that truly appreciate His immense worth and hold Him dear.

Love for Christ is the fundamental trait of genuine believers. Having faith in Him and having a deep affection for Him go hand in hand. In John 16:27, Jesus affirms that the love of the Father is bestowed upon those who have shown love towards Him and have placed their faith in Him.

In Matthew 10:37, there is a passage where it is stated that one should prioritize their love for God above their love for their family members. It emphasizes that those who prioritize their love for family over their love for God are not considered worthy of Him. Those who have faith possess an overwhelming and extraordinary affection for Christ.

In response to His opponents, Jesus made a bold statement, asserting that if they truly had a loving relationship with God, they would also have love for Him (John 8:42). Those who have a genuine love for God will also have a deep love for Christ. The individuals in question professed to be followers of a higher power, but their true intentions were exposed when they attempted to harm Jesus for spreading his teachings. It is stated that they were indeed offspring of the devil (v. 44).

In John 14, Jesus emphasizes the importance of love and obedience. He states that those who truly love Him will keep His commandments. Those who both possess and follow His commandments are the ones who truly love Him. As a result, they will be loved by His Father and Jesus Himself. If someone truly loves Me, they will faithfully follow My teachings. As a result, My Father will extend His love to them, and both of Us will establish a dwelling place within their hearts. Those who do not have affection for me will not follow my teachings” (vv. 15, 21, 23-24).

There is often a lot of confusion surrounding the concept of being a Christian. But you have the opportunity to address the matter by holding Christ in high regard, having a deep love for Him, and showing your love through obedience to His teachings. May you be abundantly blessed as you pursue your goal today.

Reflection

Pray for chances to show Christ’s love to those in your life.

Learn

Consider reading 1 John 4:7-5:3.

Sources: Jesus

Learn More

The Great Tribulation

It is our belief that the Great Tribulation referred to in the New Testament Book of Revelation (chapters 6-11) is unfolding before our eyes. In the near future, we will devote the “Tribulation” tab on our “Trending” menu to this emerging reality. As people continue to unplug from mainstream media, our commitment is to present the truth and encourage our audience to understand current events from a Biblical perspective. Click here to begin the journey.

The Watchman

In the Bible, the Watchman is responsible for keeping watch and warning others of potential danger or impending judgment. The role is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 33:6, God says to the prophet Ezekiel, “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.” Click here to begin the journey.